05/10/2026
3 - 5 October 2026, Saturday to Monday
THE STRAITS TIMES
Canberra Drive EC site draws 13 bids, top offer of $825 psf ppr
A consortium led by Santarli Realty, Heeton Holdings and Kay Lim has set a fresh benchmark for executive condominium (EC) land prices, with its bid for a small Canberra Drive site beating out 12 other bidders in a state tender that closed on Oct 1. At $163.9 million, the bid translates to $825 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr), surpassing the $630 to $750 psf ppr forecast by analysts.
THE BUSINESS TIMES
Frasers Property and Mitsubishi Estate to redevelop Valley Point and Frasers Suites Singapore
Frasers Property and Mitsubishi Estate will jointly redevelop Valley Point and Frasers Suites Singapore – both on River Valley Road – into a 999-year, mixed-use development, the companies said on Wednesday (Sep 30). The development will comprise 407 luxury residential units and sky villas, 184 units of Frasers Suites serviced residences and dining, retail and lifestyle outlets.
THE BUSINESS TIMES
CDL’s Lucerne Grand launch moves 61 per cent of 570 units at average S$2,480 psf
City Developments Ltd’s (CDL) Jurong condominium project Lucerne Grand sold 61 per cent of its 570 units at its weekend launch, the developer said on Sunday (Oct 4). A total of 350 units were sold as at 6 pm on Sunday, in the project that was priced on average at S$2,480 per square foot (psf).
THE STRAITS TIMES
What home owners should look out for in loan plans as rates rise
Home loan rates in Singapore are heading back up, after the US Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates for the first time in three years. Checks by The Straits Times show that both fixed- and floating-rate loan offerings are now higher across the major banks here.
THE STRAITS TIMES
First centre for people living with dementia and their caregivers opens in Toa Payoh
The first community-based facility designed to support people living with dementia and their caregivers has opened in Toa Payoh. National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat, who represents the Toa Payoh West-Thomson division in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, officially opened the first Voices for Hope Centre, located at Toa Payoh Central Community Club, on Oct 3.
THE STRAITS TIMES
Senior-proofing made stylish
Buying and renovating a new home are, for many people, challenging at best and torturous at worst. Beyond the financial burdens, both are projects that often take a psychological and emotional toll because of the many different tasks they entail – from deciding which tiles to get to preparing the pile of documents needed to take ownership of your next abode.
THE STRAITS TIMES
Queenstown, Marine Parade to pilot more inclusive spaces for people with disabilities
Queenstown and Marine Parade will be the first towns to test initiatives aimed at making community spaces more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities (PWDs). Led by SG Enable, the pilot starting in 2027 will work with grassroots organisations to make spaces such as parks and hawker centres more disability-friendly, while public education efforts will encourage residents to interact more confidently and respectfully with PWDs.
THE BUSINESS TIMES
Jackspeed buys 2 Jalan Kilang Barat for S$39m to house new car dealership
Automotive company Jackspeed Holdings has bought an industrial property at 2 Jalan Kilang Barat for S$39 million, and plans to use it as a car showroom and office. The sale to Jackspeed was completed on Sep 16, Yap Kian Peng, Jackspeed’s CEO, told The Business Times.
LIANHE ZAOBAO
Worker dorm occupancy falls to 95.8 per cent in H1, while monthly bed rents rise 2.1 per cent
Pressure on migrant worker dormitory beds in Singapore continues to ease. As bed capacity increases, the average occupancy rate across purpose-built migrant worker dormitories nationwide has declined for two consecutive half-year periods, falling from 98.3 per cent in the first half of last year to 95.8 per cent in the first half of this year. However, average rents for migrant worker dormitory beds have rebounded, with monthly rents rising from S$485 to S$495 per bed, an increase of 2.1 per cent.
LIANHE ZAOBAO
MPs ask in Parliament how public trust will be upheld after civil servants allegedly used non-public information to buy homes
Concerns over allegations that public servants in Singapore may have used non-public information to purchase property have attracted considerable public attention. Members of Parliament will question the Government on how safeguards can be strengthened to prevent potential abuse of power and maintain public trust. Parliament will resume on Tuesday (6 Oct). Yio Chu Kang SMC MP Yip Hon Weng and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Ng Shi Xuan said in Facebook posts on Saturday (3 Oct) and Sunday respectively that they would raise oral questions on the matter.
LIANHE ZAOBAO ONLINE
Industry players welcome government review of gross floor area guidelines as timely, giving greater flexibility in building design
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is reviewing its guidelines on gross floor area (GFA) to provide greater flexibility in building design. Industry players and analysts interviewed said the review is “timely”, noting that it could not only give developers greater GFA and enhance the potential of their projects, but also provide more room for creativity in their designs. Gross floor area (GFA) refers to the total area of all covered floor spaces within a building, as well as uncovered areas used for commercial purposes.
EDGEPROP
IOI Properties to acquire Lee Yeow Seng’s Shenton House vehicle for $1
Malaysia-listed IOI Properties Group (IOIPG) has agreed to acquire Shenton 101, the private vehicle owned by its group CEO and major shareholder Datuk Lee Yeow Seng that holds Shenton House, for a nominal $1. Under the conditional agreement announced on Oct 1, IOIPG will also settle about $217.6 million in shareholder advances that Lee had injected into Shenton 101. Upon completion, the company will consolidate Shenton 101’s borrowings of about $376.23 million into its accounts. Both amounts were as at July 31, 2026.
EDGEPROP
IWG opens two flexible workspaces in Bugis, expands Singapore network to 25 centres
International Workplace Group (IWG) has opened two flexible workspaces in the Bugis area OpenOffice Fortune Centre and HQ Liang Seah bringing its Singapore network to 25 centres across six brands. The two openings also mark the Singapore debut of IWG’s OpenOffice and HQ brands. Both centres offer co-working spaces, private offices and meeting rooms.
